Long‐term survivors after adjuvant pelvic irradiation in rectal and sigmoid carcinoma: An assessment of late results

Abstract

Twenty‐six patients with adenocarcinomas of the rectum, rectosigmoid, or sigmoid colon given adjuvant pre‐ or postoperative pelvic radiation therapy followed at least 5 years were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate late tumor control and complication rates. The overall 7‐year survival rate was 80 ± 8% with B_2,3, patients faring better than C_2,3 (94 ± 6% versus 43 ± 19%, p < 0.005). Local pelvic tumor control was achieved in 23/26 patients (88%); patients with high‐stage (C_2,3) or poorly‐differentiated adenocarcinomas had a higher postirradiation pelvic relapse rate (3/11) versus low stage, well or moderately‐well differentiated tumors (0/15). A major complication (none fatal) occurred in 2 of 26 patients (8%) and was not correlated with either irradiation dose nor volume. Long‐term follow‐up is now available on patients who received adjuvant pelvic irradiation for rectal or sigmoid carcinomas and indicates a high pelvic tumor control rate. The 8% major complication rate may be decreased in the future by more sophisticated irradiation treatment planning.